DREAM: Designer Life Darling Downs Regional Manager Tanya Stroud and current students Jeremy Roff, Ullandah Stanley, Jordie McLellan, Virgil Nelson and John Batterham having a good time at Designer Life in Stanthorpe, Davadi Place.Kim Micke

Get your training fix locally

The registered training organisation Designer Life opened its doors in the Davadi Street IGA complex in April.

Designer Life Darling Downs Regional Manager Tanya Stroud said students that went through Designer Life were offered training in the vocational education sector, specialising in Certificate III courses in retail, business, cleaning operations, community services and more.

"The main thing we do are the C3G (Certificate III Guarantee) funded courses,” Ms Stroud said.

"But we also supply individual support.”

Resume building is on top of the agenda at Designer Life but improving personality features is also an important part of Ms Stroud's job.

Designer Life recently gained an Employability Skills Training (EST) contract with the Federal Government for the next five years, delivering services to the youth (aged 15-25) and working in conjunction with job actives to increase and develop youth employment opportunities.

"EST runs for 25 hours per week for three weeks,” Ms Stroud said.

"In the first block, they do three accredited modules and in the second block they do six accredited modules.

"From the second block on we market them and gain opportunities for them.”

The regional manager, who has worked in the employment sector since 1997, is still passionate about helping locals be the best they can be.

"I like the outcomes and the outcome might not be a long-term employment but maybe turning up on time,” she said.

"Sometimes small achievements are big achievements.”

Ms Stroud, who grew up in Stanthorpe, has worked in various Queensland facilities over the years.

"The issues are very similar between cities and small towns but the services are very different,” she said.

"They offer a lot more services in the cities, which is why I am so proud of what we have here and offer to the people in our region.”

Ms Stroud has seen many success stories during her career at Designer Life, with a Stanthorpe boy's story standing out for her.

After finishing Year 12, this young man found himself unsure of what the next step in his life might be, struggling to find the confidence to chase his dreams.

He went to Designer Life where Ms Stroud provided him with the right training.

"I believe he's doing QA on a winery now,” Ms Stroud said.

"We helped to build his confidence. He is a good success story.

"I am proud of him and I am proud of all of them.”

If you are a business who can offer employment for a young person aged 15-25, you may be eligible for the Regional Youth Boost Subsidy. Contact Tanya Stroud for more information or drop into the office between 9am-4pm, shop 4, Davadi Steet IGA complex.